Opioids in Our Communities

What are Opioids?

Opioids, like fentanyl or morphine, are drugs that can be prescribed to treat pain. Some people use opioids to obtain a high.

For information about Naloxone and Opioid poisoning prevention, please see our Naloxone and Opioid Poisoning Prevention page.

In our catchment area, we monitor and track trends in opioid-related issues in our communities. The following is information related to opioids throughout our catchment area, including our latest Opioid Report.

Opioid Report: 2023Download

Deaths from Opioid Overdose

These data refer to all deaths where opioid overdose was a contributing factor in the cause of death. Deaths may have occurred from the use of a single opioid, or from the use of more than one opioid in combination with other medications, drugs, alcohol, etc.

Number of deaths from opioid overdose by year, NWHU catchment area, 2005-2022*

Displays rising deaths from opioid overdoses between the years of 2005-2022
*2022 estimates are preliminary and up to the end of July, and are subject to change
Source: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Interactive Opioid Tool. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2022. Available from: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/dataandanalytics/pages/opioid.aspx

Deaths from opioid overdose per 100,000, NWHU and Ontario, 2005-2022*

Graph shows that between the years 2005 and 2022, NWHU's catchment area's deaths from opioid not only increased but are higher than Ontario overall.
*2022 estimates are preliminary and up to the end of July, and are subject to change
Source: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Interactive Opioid Tool. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2022. Available from: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/dataandanalytics/pages/opioid.aspx

Hospitalizations from Opioid Overdose

These data refer to all hospitalizations where opioid overdose was the main or contributing cause. Not all overdoses result in hospitalization, so these data most likely underrepresent the true volume of overdose in the area. This data source currently has a lag time of approximately 5 months, so the data in this section is not fully up to date with the current situation on overdoses in the NWHU catchment area.

Number of hospitalizations from opioid overdose by year, NWHU catchment area, 2005-2021

Displays the number of hospitalizations between 2005 and 2021.
Source: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Interactive Opioid Tool. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2022. Available from: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/dataandanalytics/pages/opioid.aspx

Hospitalization from opioid overdose per 100,000, NWHU and Ontario, 2005-2021

Compares rate of hospitalizations per 100 000 because of opioid overdose between the years of 2005 and 2021 as compared to Ontario overall. Besides 2014, 2019, and 2020, NWHU's catchment area experienced a higher rate.
Source: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Interactive Opioid Tool. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2022. Available from: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/dataandanalytics/pages/opioid.aspx

Emergency Room (ER) Visits from Opioid Overdose

These data represent all unscheduled emergency room visits where opioid overdose was the main or contributing cause. Not all overdoses result in a visit to the ER, so these data most likely underrepresent the true volume of overdose in the area.

Number of ER visits from opioid overdose by month, NWHU catchment area, 2017-2022*

Shows the number of emergency room visits in the NWHU catchment area between 2017 and 2022 because of opioid overdoses. The number of overdoses increase in May of 2020 and peak August of 2021; overall, the numbers are consistent with peaks during the summer months.
*2022 estimates are preliminary and up to the end of November, and are subject to change
Source: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Interactive Opioid Tool. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2022. Available from: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/dataandanalytics/pages/opioid.aspx

ER visits from opioid overdose per 100,000, NWHU and Ontario, 2005-2022*

Shows the rate per 100 000 of emergency room visits because of opioid overdoses in both NWHU's catchment area and Ontario overall. The rates in both increase steadily between 2005 an 2022 with a dramatic increase in NWHU's area in the year 2019.
*2022 estimates are preliminary and up to the end of November, and are subject to change
Source: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Interactive Opioid Tool. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2022. Available from: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/dataandanalytics/pages/opioid.aspx

Calls Received by Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Kenora District

EMS calls where the primary reason was opioid overdose, Kenora District, 2021

Community2021202020182017
Dryden18125<5
Ear Falls<5<5<5<5
Ignace<5<5<5<5
Kenora2218119
Pickle Lake<5<5<5<5
Red Lake<5<5<5<5
Sioux Lookout9<5<5<5
Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls<5<5<5<5
Kenora District Total60362313

Source: Kenora District Services Board (KDSB). Received June 2022.

Rainy River District

EMS calls where the primary reason was opioid overdose, Rainy River District, 2021

Community2021202020182017
Atikokan<5<5<50
Emo<5<5<50
Fort Frances302465
Rainy River<5<5<50
Rainy River District (undesignated)<5<5<50
Rainy River District Total3735125

Source: Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board (RRDSSAB). Received June 2022.

What can you do?

As a community member, I can:

  • Receive naloxone training
  • Carry Naloxone
  • Spend time learning about topics like substance use/addiction and harm reduction from reliable sources
  • Think about the language I use when talking about drug use and people who use drugs. Using terms like “person who has an addiction” instead of “junkie” and “addict”
  • • Always approach people and situations with compassion and openness

As a service provider, I can:

  • Receive training on Naloxone Administration
  • Carry Naloxone
  • Be mindful of the language I use when talking about drug use and people who use drugs; use terms like “person who has an addiction” instead of “junkie” and “addict”
  • Schedule staff presentations on topics relating to harm reduction
  • Consider registering my organization as a naloxone distribution site (contact NWHU)

As a person who uses substances, I can:

  • Access sterile equipment through harm reduction programs, and never share or reuse drug equipment
  • Get trained to use Naloxone
  • Carry Naloxone
  • Don’t use alone and download the Lifeguard App
  • Take part in campaigns/opportunities to destigmatize substance use
  • Get familiar with local treatment and support programs

As someone impacted by substance use, I can:

  • Learn about local resources
  • Access Naloxone
  • Access Naloxone training
  • Be open and supportive to help friends or family members living with addiction or substance use issues
  • Take part in campaigns/opportunities to destigmatize substance use

For more information about Naloxone and Naloxone training, see our Naloxone and Opioid Poisoning Prevention page. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact your local health unit.

Last modified: 26 February 2024